4 yr old daughter with DiGeorge Syndrome

[angelstarbeam]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone here has a child with DiGeorge Syndrome? My daughter is 4 yrs old, and is severly speech delayed. I have noticed that she catches onto asl really easy, swe have just ordered the gift collection for her all the signing time dvd's. We had the chance to sign out one of thre 2 dvd's of Signing Time that our local olibrary has. She loved them and caught on to some of the words really quick. The things that I've been told about kids with DiGeorge Syndrome about using sign who are speech delayed varies, so I was wondering if there was a parent here who has a child wwith DiGeorge syndrome who is speech delayed and has started using sign with there child.

Thanks,
Bonnie

[c01dunlap]

Bonnie,

Very glad you found ST! and the forums. Welcome! Since I've been around a while, I did some searching both on these forums here, and the old alexandleah yahoo group that was the predecessor. Here's what I found:

Forums (here):

Darlene (Dinman8 (http://www.signingtime.com/forums/member.php?u=405)) posted about her grandson (http://www.signingtime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5673) and also in a Playgroups thread (http://www.signingtime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5671). I noticed in her profile that she's not been online (or at least not signed in) for quite some time, but shared her email address publically - you might want to try an email directed to her.

Christie (lovemy6sweeties (http://www.signingtime.com/forums/member.php?u=31)) is another "old timer", and had posted on the yahoo group in 5/2005, "... My little guy, Brady, with Ds is going to a preschool in the fall taught by a mom with a little boy with Digeorge syndrome :) ...". Don't know if she can put you in touch with that mom at all. She's a pretty regular poster here, so you could send her a Private Message too.

Old alexandleah yahoo groups:

Lisa Ringenberg posted several times about daughter Madison. Her siggy had Madison's webpage (http://www.madisonfaith.com/). I'm guessing you can contact her through that website.

Pam (aka manybabieslater) also posted in 3/2006 about her daughter (coincidentally "Madison" also, but different age) with DiGeorge Syndrome. It was a neat "First Signs" post where Madison signed both "MORE" and "FINISHED". I sent an email (blind, so I can't pass along an email address) with a link to this thread. Perhaps she will get in contact with you via these ST! forums.

Hope that helps you a bit!

[TarheelTuckers]

Wow Chris,
Way to go doing all that research. Thank you for always being so willing to help and serve!

[lovemy6sweeties]

but as Chris posted, I have a friend who does. If you like I could give her your email address if you want to PM it to me :) I have to warn you though, she's not very good with email LOL Her little boy had/has some speech delays, and they do private speech with him. I don't think they ever used sign with him. He has lots of health/immune system issues though. He is such a cutie pie :) Let me know if I can do anything to help you :)

[Dinman08]

Thanks for giving my e-mail address to Bonnie. I e-mailed her back as soon as I read it. I truly believe that giving my grandson the gift of communication thru ST was the greatest thing I ever did for him. He now signs over 100 words and he can tell me what he wants and express his needs. He is a happy child. I will forever be greatful for the day I found ST doing an internet search looking for something to help me teach him how to sign and learn myself. Had no idea it would be a product that would be so much fun for the whole family. I have 5 grandchildren in the home and they all sign. He will be starting public school in April when he turns 3 and we are going to keep his private therapist who by the way is watching signing times to help her refresh her skills that she has not used in a long time. She thinks they are GREAT also. Sorry I don't post often, but I check out the website often and continue to buy everything that they produce. Have the t-shirt...Need to offer other sizes!!!!! Have the books, tapes, flashcards and all the DVD's. I recommend them to everyone that will listen. My kindergarden grandchild has a teacher that signs and is going to use the video's this year in her class. Love to hear from other parents of children with Digeorge. Live in Winston Salem, NC and would love to meet anyone else in this area with Digeorge to play together and practice signing. God Bless you all!!!!! Darlene (dinman08@yahoo.com)

[c01dunlap]

Darlene,

Glad you connected with Bonnie! Thanks for taking the time to both email her back AND post here. I am amazed and grateful at how many parents, grandparents and other caretakers share their stories and experiences here. I have learned so much from each of you, and am always happy when someone new can 'connect' and get help & support through the forums members.

Thank you for sharing! {{{HUGS}}} to you both. :)

[angelstarbeam]

Hi Everyone,

Sierra has been doing good with learning to sign using Signing Time. ;) It has cut a lot of frustration down in the house from her and us ( we are all learning to sign with her). I was amazed ast how quickly she has been picking up on the signs. I had gotten all of the Signing Time DVD's and the CD's, it was well worth the money to be able to communicate with our daughter better.

Thanks,
Bonnie

[c01dunlap]

Bonnie,

That is wonderful news! Thanks for sharing her progress with us. That is sooo exciting!! Our daughter is 3 yrs old now. I can't imagine what you'd been going through for 4 years of difficulty with communication.

You might also want to consider connecting with a local ST! Playgroup (see the Playgroups forum (http://www.signingtime.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6) and search for your state/area). If there is not one, you can always start one yourself. ;)

Anyway, I love hearing success stories - ST! hugs to you and your family!